Chapter 90
The zone boss, still disoriented from its earlier fainting spell, slowly opened its eyes to an overwhelming heat. Its surroundings were hazy with smoke and the feeling of intense warmth, but it wasn’t just the heat that shocked it. It felt pain radiating through its body—sharp, pulsing pain.
"Is the forest on fire?" it muttered, still groggy, its vision blurry. Its arms felt like they were on fire, and when it looked down, its skin was covered in deep gashes. To its horror, it noticed that its once thick and majestic hair was completely gone. Its body seemed strangely bare.
"What the hell?" the zone boss muttered, its confusion growing by the second. The pain coursing through its body made it flinch with every movement. "Why am I shaved? Why is there fire everywhere?"
"Oh, you're awake?" came a casual voice from nearby. It was Kei Y, sorting through a pile of herbs and spices, seemingly unbothered by the chaos unfolding around them. "That's a shame, though. Seems a bit cruel to cook you alive."
The zone boss blinked, trying to process the situation. "Cook me alive? What are you talking about?" it asked, voice filled with confusion and disbelief.
Kei Y looked over at it, his expression casual and matter-of-fact. "I'm hungry," he said, as if this was the most obvious thing in the world. "You're a creature, and I thought you died when the zone gave me an S ranking for completing it. But for some weird reason, I’m still in the zone and haven’t gotten my rewards yet. So, I was gonna eat you until the zone sent me out."
The zone boss stared at Kei Y, too stunned to respond for a moment, but then it began to process the words. "What?!" it shouted in a panic. "Don’t eat me! What is wrong with you?"
Kei Y unfazed by the zone boss’s outrage. "I don’t know how you taste or how to cook you, so I’m just gonna freestyle the spices. Hope you're okay with that," he said, holding up a few herbs in one hand like it was no big deal.
The zone boss, still in a daze and now terrified, struggled to sit up, its body feeling weaker than it ever had. "I—I don’t care what you do with your spices!" it stammered, voice shaking with panic. "But you can’t eat me! I’m sacred! I’m a zone boss!"
Kei Y's eyes glinted with amusement as he stirred his concoction. "Well, you know, I don't think I’ll need to cook you too long, since you’re already pretty much roasted." He chuckled to himself, clearly enjoying the bizarre situation he found himself in.
The zone boss’s panic escalated, but it had nowhere to run. It could only watch as Kei Y prepared what seemed to be an absurdly casual approach to eating it. "This is crazy..." the zone boss muttered, its voice filled with disbelief.
"Why not? You don’t seem to have much purpose left anymore," Kei Y continued, barely pausing for a breath. "You just skip over many important topics as if it weren’t your time to go into detail with them. Like why you’re capable of talking, in the human language no less? How do you know Auserre, and why did you sound like you were expecting her students to visit you? How are you a zone boss but from a different planet, and one that you have prestige on? If you have so much prestige, how are you so afraid of her as if you’d be implicated by me calling her a 'vendor lady'? Why are you so obsessed with my sheep to the point of not only fainting but the shock being so great you practically killed yourself? And since you killed yourself, why am I still here and you woken up?" Kei Y asked, all the questions pouring out in rapid succession.
The zone boss, its mind swirling with confusion and growing irritation, opened its mouth as if to respond, but Kei Y wasn’t done. He was unrelenting.
"But since you seem to have no intention of explaining anything to me and I already cleared the zone, you seem to have no purpose for me, and I’m rather starving," Kei Y said nonchalantly, his tone shifting to a lighter, almost humorous one. "In fact, I don’t even know your name."
The zone boss, still recovering from the earlier shock of Kei Y's bizarre presence and the overwhelming encounter with the astral projection of Wooloo, was left speechless for a moment. Its mind raced as it tried to process everything that had just been said. Each question cut deeper into its understanding of the situation.
"I... I..." the zone boss stammered, struggling to respond. It was used to being in control, but Kei Y had completely thrown it off balance.
Finally, the zone boss sighed, slumping slightly as the realization of its helplessness hit. "You are one strange individual," it muttered under its breath, sounding both exasperated and defeated. "I’ve never met anyone like you."
Kei Y tilted his head. "Glad to hear that. But, seriously, you never answered any of my questions. So, if you're not going to explain things, I'm just gonna go ahead and help myself," Kei Y said, a hint of mischief in his voice as he readied his spices and herbs.
The zone boss, still shaking from the shock and exhaustion, gave Kei Y a long, tired stare. "Fine," it said finally, its voice resigned. "You’re right, I should answer some of your questions... But I’ll warn you, there’s far more to all this than you can understand right now." It paused for a moment, gathering its thoughts before speaking again.
"My name..." The zone boss trailed off, clearly reluctant. "My name is Aterix. I am... I was once a guardian of my world. My race... we were born with great power to command runes. But now, I am bound to this zone, this fractured space, and I can only exist to serve the trial’s purpose. As for Auserre..." It hesitated, then continued, "She is someone I have crossed paths with. We've had our battles before, and she always came out on top. As a thank you for sparing my life and my planet, for saving my race, she asked that I train her students—though few they may be—whenever one of them enters this fractured zone. When someone enters with her talisman, I’m brought here to serve as a zone boss. Not with my full strength, of course, but just enough to serve as a challenge, to determine whether her students deserve further guidance from her. I also teach those she believes have talents to become runesmiths. And so far, her students have been... quite the challenge for me."
Kei Y hummed thoughtfully, his mind racing with possibilities. "That’s an interesting deal. But... it still doesn’t explain why you’re so obsessed with my sheep." He paused. "And, not to mention, fainting from the sight of its astral projection. Pretty dramatic for someone who’s supposed to be a big shot guardian."
Aterix visibly flinched at the mention of Wooloo, the embarrassment and anxiety clear in his expression. He let out a deep sigh before answering, his voice quieter this time. "It’s not just any sheep. Your Fellhorn sheep... its lineage, its connection to the system, its potential... It has the markings of something... ancient, something that could change the very fabric of the universe if properly trained."
Kei Y intrigued but still a bit skeptical. "Ancient, huh? Sounds like you’re building up to something. But why would that matter to me? It’s just a sheep, right?"
Aterix shook his head. "No, you don’t understand. That sheep, that Fellhorn, it carries within it the potential to unlock powers greater than anything you could imagine. You have no idea what it could become.”
Waving his arm dismissively, Aterix effortlessly canceled out the fire runes that Kei Y had created to cook him, the flames fizzling away as if they had never been there.
"Rude," Kei Y muttered, a bit exasperated, as he watched Aterix snuff out his fire with such ease.
Aterix, though unbothered, continued his explanation. "Ardents are a special race, in a sense. If God Sparks represent the pinnacle of potential in existence, Ardents sit just below them. One embodies the raw potential of all forces, the inherent connection to the aether, able to command it with an unmatchable draw. The other, Ardents, are not necessarily born with the same capacity to manipulate forces, but they represent the highest level of control over something more fundamental: the system itself."
Kei Y raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued by Aterix's words.
Aterix continued, tapping into a deeper layer of his explanation. "When we talk about ‘the system,’ I’m referring to how everything in this world is governed: stats, abilities, power scaling. Stats are more than just numbers—they are quantifiable representations of physical and metaphysical attributes that exist within the system. Ardents do not simply accumulate stats as others do. No, they are capable of an unparalleled level of control over them. You see, each stat, be it strength, agility, intelligence, or any other, has a direct correlation to both the body and the mind."
Aterix’s eyes gleamed with a more focused intensity, as he spoke almost like a researcher describing a complex concept. "When two individuals possess the same strength stat, their muscles will have the same inherent potential for growth, power output, and physical feats. But the one who understands and manipulates that stat better, the one with greater control over it, will always be able to outperform the other. Control is the key. It's not just about the amount of energy in the stat, but how finely tuned you can make it, how precisely you can direct it and make it serve your purpose."
He paused to let Kei Y absorb the information before continuing, as if explaining something critical. “The same goes for all stats. You could have two people with identical agility scores, but the one who can control their agility will move far faster, more fluidly, and with greater efficiency. It's the difference between being able to run and being able to run with purpose—every step optimized, every movement calculated.”
Aterix leaned in a little closer, his tone almost scientific now. "Think of it this way: stats aren’t simply attributes you gain—they are more like parameters within a system, each one fine-tuned through experience and mastery. The more you can ‘tune’ each parameter, the more efficient the system becomes. This is what sets Ardents apart—they do not just accumulate power, they refine it at a granular level, perfecting every aspect of their stats. This refinement, this mastery, allows them to surpass the limits that others would hit."
Kei Y furrowed his brows, intrigued by the conversation. "The way you speak of them is rather odd. You call them the strongest race, but from your words, it seems like anyone could become an Ardent if they tried hard enough," he observed, tilting his head. "So where does my sheep lineage come into all of this?"
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Aterix gave him a thoughtful look, clearly impressed by Kei Y’s insight. “You’re rather astute,” he said. “They aren’t necessarily a single race of beings. Rather, they represent the pinnacle path of their race. But even then, it doesn’t automatically grant them an Ardent lineage. At most, they’re given a race-specific quest. This quest tests their proficiency in each of the core stats, and if they qualify and accept, they become part of the Ardent race.”
He leaned forward slightly, continuing with genuine interest. “So, your Ardent Fellhorn must’ve shown some extraordinary potential to evolve from a regular Fellhorn into an Ardent Fellhorn. An Ardent Eclipse Fellhorn, no less. That’s quite the feat.” Aterix paused, eyes glimmering with fascination. “And you want to know their most prominent features? Onyx black hair and marble-white features, almost impossible to miss. No matter the species, an Ardent’s appearance is striking—certainly hard to confuse with anything else.” He tilted his head slightly, his voice becoming thoughtful. “Of course, some with techniques powerful enough can mask their true appearance, but those who know what to look for, they’ll always recognize the signs. It’s like a mark of greatness.”
Kei Y stood in stunned silence for a moment, still processing the weight of the revelation. “Wait, so Wooloo... my Fellhorn sheep... could evolve into an Ardent because of its stats?” He asked, his voice low in contemplation. He paused for a moment, his thoughts running as he tried to understand the full extent of what he was being told.
He shook his head, the thought lingering on his mind. “And my stats never really rose much after we formed that contract together, that lazy sheep bastard is skimping out on me...” Kei Y grumbled internally, frustration bubbling up, though a small part of him couldn’t help but chuckle at the thought of his lazy companion, Wooloo, being the key to such incredible potential. The more he thought about it, the more the possibilities began to excite him, even if he was a little irked at the apparent lack of effort from his wool-covered partner.
Aterix nodded. “That type of evolution doesn’t come easily. The Ardent path is reserved for those who prove themselves worthy, not only through innate power but through the ability to control their stats with absolute mastery. That’s why your Wooloo is so significant.”
Kei Y thought about this for a moment, his mind racing with possibilities. "I never thought of it that way," he said, looking off into the distance. “It’s incredible that something like Wooloo, who’s just been tagging along with me, has that kind of potential.”
Then, another question sprang to mind. "So if you had to bet your money on one over the other, who would win more often—God Sparks or Ardent?"
Aterix didn’t hesitate, his answer firm and confident. "Always God Sparks. Ardents’ benefits come from an external representation of their strength—it's about how they manipulate the system. God Sparks, however, draw their strength from within themselves and existence as a whole. Their connection to the universe allows them to transcend traditional limits. An Ardent may have more immediate control over their stats, but a God Spark can tap into the very forces that shape reality."
Kei Y let out a slow breath, processing what Aterix had said. "So... it’s not just about raw stats or abilities. God Sparks have a deeper connection to existence itself."
Aterix confirmed. "That’s why God Sparks are considered the ultimate force. They control the very flow of energy and existence around them. Ardents, on the other hand, are more like a finely tuned instrument, able to maximize their own potential, but they still remain within the boundaries of the system.”
"Anyway, enough with this topic, I wasn’t here to lecture you about these races," Aterix said, finally getting to the main point. "Since Auserre sent you here, you must be really talented with runes. She’s sent you to improve."
Kei Y raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean? I’ve already defeated you and cleared the zone. I’m not fighting you again."
"No, you didn’t," Aterix countered. "You said a few words and almost gave me a stroke."
"And the system counted that as my win, so I defeated you. Deal with it, grandpa," Kei Y shot back. "I even got this skill for completing the zone." He raised a hand and pointed towards his eyes.
"I don’t think that should count," Aterix growled. "If anyone heard you speak of Ardents in such a manner, most would suffer just as I did."
"Well, if most looked like you, they'd probably kill themselves," Kei Y retorted.
"Leave my appearance alone, you brat! We’re still fighting!" Aterix shouted, clearly irritated.
"I ain’t doin' nothing, and you can bite me," Kei Y said defiantly.
"It’s not an option," Aterix said, stepping forward to grab Kei Y.
"Not for you," Kei Y responded swiftly. Dozens of rune strokes appeared mid-air, and ember ash vipers formed from fire, snaking towards Aterix. The flames ignited, catching him on fire and forcing him to step back.
As Kei Y drew more rune strokes in the air, the intensity of the battle reached new heights. In the same breath, he found fire rune strokes appearing above and below him, connecting and coiling together to form a blazing inferno that centered around him. The heat was excruciating, so intense that the ground beneath him began to melt, the surrounding air thick with deadly flames.
Kei Y, caught in the heart of the inferno, gritted his teeth and quickly drew full wind runes, manifesting a wind barrier that swirled around him. The winds howled as they pushed against the inferno, but the heat was still unbearable. With a sharp exhale, Kei Y dashed out of the raging flames, barely managing to escape the intense heat that had already started to burn him.
His skin scorched, Kei Y quickly moved, drawing more wind runes to create a vacuum that sucked the oxygen out of the fire, cutting off the fuel and causing the inferno to die out. As the flames dissipated, Kei Y drew more healing rune strokes across his body, the rune strokes glowing with a soft light as they rapidly began to heal his burnt skin.
Kei Y stood panting heavily, one eye squinted from the pain of the burn, but his confidence was unwavering. He locked his remaining good eye with Aterix, who was also watching him intently. Aterix’s expression shifted from surprise to genuine admiration.
"Not only are you able to draw runes without a force quill," Aterix said, his voice tinged with respect, "but you can also draw different elements—fire, wind, and even healing runes. You’re really worthy of being her student." The words were praise, but they also carried the weight of recognition.
Kei Y’s breathing began to steady, though still ragged from the heat. He gave a half-smile, wiping a bead of sweat from his forehead. "Believe it or not," he said, his voice quieter, but still casual, "I don’t think vendor lady even knows I can draw runes without a force quill. She’s only ever seen me use runes with a force quill."
Aterix blinked, clearly taken aback by Kei Y’s nonchalant admission. "She doesn’t know?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. "That's… surprising."
Aterix smirked, shaking his head in disbelief. "I’m beginning to see why she’s taken such an interest in you. You’ve got some talent that even I didn’t expect."
Kei Y gave a small chuckle, looking at his healed skin with satisfaction. "I try to keep up with expectations. It’s not always easy, but someone’s gotta do it."
"Looks like you're not so bad yourself," Kei Y said, his voice laced with a sense of confidence as he prepared for whatever else Aterix had in store for him. With a quick gesture, a massive viper made of ember-ash flames appeared, wrapping around Kei Y's body like a fiery serpent. The creature's head rose high, its eyes glowing with an intense, fiery light, its tongue flicking out in anticipation, waiting for Kei Y’s command to strike.
Kei Y stood tall, his expression a mix of determination and curiosity. "So, what’s next?" he asked, as the enormous creature now coiled around him, its flames flickering with every movement. The atmosphere was thick with tension, the air crackling with the intensity of the duel that was about to unfold. He was ready for whatever came next, fully aware that this was no ordinary challenge, but he felt a thrill at the prospect of pushing his abilities further.
The scene shifted through the fractured zones as each student faced their respective challenges under Auserre’s watchful eyes. Silvie, trapped within a living, shifting maze of her own vines, faced off against a small figure who relentlessly lectured her on the very force she wielded. The figure’s presence was oddly disarming, yet her words cut deep into Silvie’s understanding of her force.
"You’re taking the carbon monoxide the vines are absorbing and attacking me with them?" Silvie gasped as she deftly dodged a series of sharp, air bullets. The air was thick with the unnatural, suffocating presence of carbon monoxide—an element she had never thought to control in such a way.
The small figure giggled, sounding far too young for such wisdom. "Hehehe, really cool, huh? The better your intelligence is, the cooler stuff you can do. And the more fetters you shed from your force alignment, the more layers you can access and manipulate. Look at your vines! They’re not just plants, they’re elements of nature, of life... water, earth, air, and carbon. The more layers you learn to control, the stronger you’ll become."
Silvie’s heart sank, the lesson hitting her just as hard as the air bullets had. The realization was clear—she had been using nature’s forces, but never in this way. "So, my vine force... it’s not just nature. It’s connected to carbon, water, air, earth..." Silvie murmured, pieces of the puzzle falling into place, though it left her feeling more overwhelmed than before.
Across the fractured zones, Kei M was enduring a different kind of challenge. On his knees, heaving from the overwhelming pain coursing through his body, he had already emptied his stomach, but the agony forced him to continue trying to vomit even when there was nothing left. His zone boss stood in front of him, observing the suffering with a tone of mockery.
"You’ve had rather impressive students before, some who rose to be really incredible in the cultivation world, like moi," the vendor said, patting his own chest with pride. "But of all the fractured zones you could’ve sent them to, don’t you think the zone bosses are a bit overkill?"
Auserre, calmly observing her students from multiple water mirrors floating around her, let out a light chuckle. "Four God Sparks? Such a thing can’t even be dreamed of by the most powerful Dream Force users out there. And somehow, these four geniuses just fell into my lap. Your bunch as my students was incredible too, but these four—even Inpu—are on another level."
The vendor grumbled in response, clearly not fully satisfied. "That may be true, but even then, the one Kei facing seems a bit... cruel, don’t you think?" The concern in his voice wasn’t lost on Auserre.
"Well, they always said, between the two—always bet on God Sparks," she laughed, her amusement evident. "And as for the little bastard, I know he’s hiding it from his friends, but to even try and hide that he was the former crown prince from me? I changed his diapers, damn it. Let me have a bit of revenge, okay? And even then, he was far more talented than his older brother. Now it makes sense with him being a God Spark, but he just disappeared. All of a sudden, the boy who was supposed to be the greatest talent ever produced by the kingdom returns, his progress undone, and his body so clogged with impurities that it’s a miracle he could even sense Aether. What he needs, she can best help him with."
While Kei M struggled in his zone, finally managing to look up and take in his surroundings, the zone boss—the tall, floating lady in an aquamarine dress—regarded him with a quiet intensity. Her dress seemed to flow like waves of water, and she stared down at him.
"The fact that my student sent you here must mean you’re a God Spark," she mused, her tone assessing. "Honestly, I thought you’d be much more impressive, but your body is a complete mess. Someone really tampered with it."
Kei M’s vision swam, and he could barely focus on her words, the pain still coursing through him. "I can feel my spleen," he muttered, trying to push through the discomfort, finally making out the zone boss’s features. Her long onyx black hair flowed to the ground, the last few inches of it marble white.
"Well, since you’re her student," she continued with a small grin, "I guess that makes me your grandmaster. Hello, I’m Ardent Ocean Waves, Oceana. I’ll do my best to fix your body."
Meanwhile, Inpu and Mia were causing chaos in their own fractured zone. The zone boss they were supposed to face was in full retreat, running away from the two children who were brainstorming new ideas for their Balance Force techniques. The frustration was palpable, with the zone boss muttering curses under its breath, unable to escape their relentless pursuit.
"Damn it, Auserre, I swear I’m going to fight you to death," the zone boss muttered, running desperately. It could practically hear Auserre’s laughter in its mind, knowing she was enjoying the spectacle of its misfortune. And, unfortunately, the zone boss was right—Auserre was indeed watching and finding great amusement in the situation.